Creating 'monumental moments' in design: K2LD designer discusses the vision for Armadale's latest development, Monument

Melbourne's Armadale is set to welcome a brand new development that boasts architectural prowess – it's crisp, it's opulent, and it exudes sophistication.

Monument has been crafted by the design team at K2LD in collaboration with landscape architecture studio TCL. The respective design practices were employed by JV developers Chapter Group and SHC Group for their innate ability to create something "unique and identifiable".

We caught up with Luke Claringbold, Associate & Interior Designer at K2LD to learn more about the journey the team took to reach the striking design that is set to take shape in Armadale in the near future. 

Urban.com.au: What inspired the overall concept of your latest design project, Monument in Armadale?

Luke Claringbold: The design of the interiors is based around the concept of creating monumental moments throughout the building. From public spaces to individual residences. It was a process of creating a true collaboration between architecture and interiors and working together to inform one another to create a harmonious design outcome.

There are details referenced throughout the interiors that bring the larger concepts and notions of the architecture to a more human and tangible scale within the interiors giving residents a closer connection and understanding of the wider building narrative of carved and sculptural moments.

U: Which luxury details have you carried throughout the design of all residences – from the 2-bed homes to the penthouses?

LC: We have aimed to give residents the same experience within the building no matter which residence they choose – from the 2 bedroom residences to the double-storey penthouse.

A consistent material palette is used with the same level of detail being carried through – from the curved marble shower in the main bathroom to the sculptural, carved island bench. All apartments feature Gaggenau and Liebherr appliances, Hansgrohe fittings and fixtures as well as kitchens by DADA and wardrobes by Molteni&C. In terms of apartment amenity, it was important for us to create dedicated working spaces and ample storage to all apartments as well as highly useable outdoor spaces which are evident in the large terraces and gardens across all floors. Residences are really only defined by their elevation and orientation rather than their level of detail and inclusions.

U: How did you go about collaborating with landscape architecture practice TCL to maximise the consonance between the built form and nature?

LC: TCL’s landscape really complemented our initial design concepts – especially the interiors. The free-flowing and organic nature of the landscape really resonated with our interior design as a way to soften the strong, bold façade of the building. The use of varying textures to create warmth and softness is something that we have focused on with the interiors and this is also evident in the selection of planting and materiality used in the landscaping, creating that extra layer of cohesion between the disciplines.

There are a vast amount of opportunities within Monument for connection and interaction between the interiors, architecture and landscape from the ground floor terraces, to the native green roof on Level 4 and we have tried to enhance these connections to nature wherever possible.

U: What was the design brief from JV partners Chapter Group and SHC Group, and how has the initial vision progressed since the first design iteration? 

LC: Working with Chapter Group and SHC is always a very collaborative process – right from defining the brief until the final handover of the project. They aren’t afraid to try something different, and Monument is definitely different to other projects that we have delivered together. We set out to create something unique and identifiable.

The vision was to create a project that wasn’t afraid to stand out in its location on Orrong Rd amongst a number of other multi-residential buildings. I wouldn’t say the concepts have changed much from their first iterations but we have worked really hard to refine and perfect them for the project's launch.

U: There are some lovely textures used throughout the development – pale oak floorboards, natural stone, custom joinery – in your opinion, which materials aesthetically elevate a home? 

LC: I think its important to have layering throughout the material palette. Texture is vital to add detail to the interior and really elevates the feeling of the space. It's not necessarily about having the most expensive materials like stone, but how you can add different layers and textures to a space to create interest. Tactility is key in the way a space is experienced and including elements like a plush carpet or a textural timber floor, where people are actually going to interact with a material, can be a great way to elevate a home. Being able to touch and interact with a material is going to give a greater connection to a space and impact the way in which it is experienced.

U: The sculptural staircase is a really unique element of the design – where did you draw inspiration from for this feature?

LC: This was a space where we really saw an opportunity to create one of those “monumental moments” mentioned earlier. The staircase is one of the first things you see when entering the penthouse so we wanted to celebrate it as its own sculptural element rather than hide it away as a purely functional and transitional part of the interior. It's not often that you get the chance to put a staircase of this size into an apartment, so why not take the opportunity to make it a real feature of such a unique residence. Again, it references the softness and the curves used throughout the interiors and applies them to amplify the expansive double height of the entry. We wanted to celebrate the ascent from the every day living areas to the top floor recreation spaces.

The circular skylight above is another layer to the design that helps to enhance the sculptural quality of the space and extend the interior.

U: What's the one thing you're most proud of about Monument?

LC: I am really proud of the consideration and the thought that has gone into developing each individual residence at Monument. The user's experience is always at the forefront of our decision making and being able to map this out and consider every detail has led to a really beautiful and highly liveable outcome. From the planning right through to the detailing, we have aimed to give each residence its own identity within the overall development.